by Kori David
She stayed back and moved from tree to tree, watching Sammy. He looked so different already. Gone was the shaggy hair and linen clothing of Iraq. Now he had a buzz cut, blue jeans, a graphic T-shirt, and boots. He looked like he’d grown up in Texas and she’d even heard him practicing her Dad’s southern drawl. She still spoke to him in Arabic, so they could both stay fluent, but he was settling in well to Americana.
When he was swallowed up by the interior of the barn, Pandora crept closer. With her back to the door, she could hear a hammer beating against something, and then it was abruptly quiet. Crossing her arms and settling back, she had no remorse about eavesdropping.
“Hey, buddy, how are you?”
“Alright.”
“Are you over to check out the kitties?”
“I guess.”
“I put her into this stall. I didn’t want the babies able to run off until they’re a little older. Come on over and you can sit with them for a bit.”
Pandora peeked around the corner and saw Cam squatted down at eye level with Sammy. He was in snug blue jeans and no shirt and oh, Lord was he hot. Dark chestnut hair that had turned shaggy hung down over his forehead and the muscles in his biceps bulged from the recent work he’d been doing.
Her body woke up with a vengeance.
Not that she hadn’t noticed before, but grief had a way of dampening everything. Colors were muted, noises softer—it was like a veil had been placed between her and world while she dealt with getting her fragmented life back together. And it wasn’t just her grief she’d been dealing with. Sammy had nightmares that were finally lessoning, and he was almost back to being a chatterbox again. He’d been shut down for a couple of weeks after Mohammed died, as he grieved for the only father he’d known.
“Did you let someone know where you were going? I don’t want your mama or grandparents worried about you being lost.”
“Grandpa knows.”
“You look like you’ve got something on your mind, kiddo. And I think you have some questions for me.”
Pandora snuck another look. Cam was now sitting on a straw bale with his back to her and she couldn’t see Sammy, so she guessed he was inside the stall with the kittens. It was muffled, but she could hear the meowing going on.
“You’re my daddy, aren’t you? My real daddy.”
“Did you figure it out all on your own?” He sounded impressed.
“You are though, right?”
“I am, and I think you figured it out a long time ago. So, what do you want to know?”
There was a long pause, and Pandora waited. She was so glad that he finally asked, and she was oddly relieved that he was asking Cam. The right time hadn’t come up, or maybe she had delayed because answering that question would make her have to come to a decision sooner than she’d been ready.
“Why didn’t anyone just tell me?”
“Well, let me tell you something kinda secret.” Another long pause, so she peeked again. Cam leaned forward as if to whisper, but she heard him clearly enough. “Grownups don’t always know what to do. I’ll bet your mama didn’t want you to know yet because you miss your Baba. And you needed time to just miss him. He was a good man and your mama tells me that he loved you more than anything.”
She couldn’t hear the reply, and her throat worked with the effort to keep the emotion at bay. After everything he’d been through, and the things he’d told her he’d done in the five years they were apart, Cam had managed to keep that soft side she’d fallen for.
“Can I call you my daddy?”
“You can call me whatever you like, son. When you’re ready to call me Dad, then I will love to hear it. And if you’re not ready yet, you can still call me Cam, okay?”
“Okay. I better get back before Mom has a cow.”
Pandora bit her palm to keep the tears and the laughter from spilling out and ruining the moment her boys were having. She left the open door and slid around the side of the barn so Sammy didn’t see her. A moment later, her son ran back the way he’d come and climbed the fence again, where her father waited for him. It was too far away to see much of the interaction, but those two were very close, and Pandora guessed that her father knew exactly what Sammy had been up to.
“He’s a smart kid,” Cam said.
Startled, her head jerked toward his voice. Leaning against the corner of the barn, Cam smiled at her and gave her a slow wink. Then his eyes swept up from her sneakers to her short jean shorts and white tank top, to the messy bun she had her hair in. And that look left no doubt in her mind that he wanted her.
“How did you know I was here?”
“I’ll always know when you’re near, honey. I have a built in Pandora radar.”
“So I guess he knows,” she said. It was a lame statement, but she felt raw and open in a way that she hadn’t in a while. Suddenly, she could smell the alfalfa hay and the fresh scent of newly cut wood. And him. She could smell Cam, sweaty, dusty, and all man.
“He’s been on the verge of asking for a while. I could see it in his face. I’m glad it’s out and that he knows for sure now.”
She nodded. “I’m proud of him.”
“He’s a great kid, Pan. You did an amazing job.”
Her heart swelled at the compliment. This is what happiness felt like. Joy was creeping into the cracks where grief and fear were receding. And she wanted to let it. And she wanted Cam. Maybe she’d been waiting for this final moment, this final healing. Sammy had been smiling when he ran from the barn. He was happy and that made her happy—and freed her.
Freed her to take what she wanted to.
“Yes.”
He cocked his head to the side and one eyebrow shot up. “Did the subject just change?”
Pandora nodded and smiled. “I’m saying yes to the picnic at the falls.”
The grin that lifted his lips hit his eyes and lit up his whole face. It was everything she could do not to run into his arms and give him a giant hug and kiss. But if she did that, then it wouldn’t end there, and she wanted this to be special. He’d been waiting so patiently for her, and he deserved a medal for it.
“I’ll be over at seven,” she said. Then she took off back to her parent’s home.
She tossed a look over her shoulder, catching him ogling her butt. Giving her hips an extra little swing, she laughed when he swallowed hard and took a step forward. Laughing, she ran the rest of the way. She had some plans to make and a little over three hours to get some shopping done.
“Mom, I need to borrow the car,” she yelled, as she danced up the front steps and into the house.
Tonight she was going to claim her husband.
9
Cam had his truck packed and ready to go at six forty-five. He felt like a high school kid on his first date with the cheerleader of his dreams. He paced for about five minutes and then had a talk with himself and sat his ass down to wait patiently. Something had changed between himself and Pan this afternoon, and while he wasn’t sure what switched, he was damned happy to see the spark.
His wife had been acting like a polite neighbor and he’d been doing his damnedest to pierce the shield she’d erected around herself. But he’d been patient as well; the wait had caused some sleepless nights and more cold showers than he cared to admit, but she was worth every moment. And today, for the first time, there’d been something more than sadness in her eyes. She’d actually looked at him like a man. Not as someone from her past, or a neighbor, but as a full blooded woman looking at an extremely thankful man.
And when she’d wiggled that curvy little ass at him, he’d almost charged. The urge to drag her into the barn, throw her down in the hay, and make love to her until neither one of them could walk rode him hard. But he wasn’t about to rush her. This was about the long game, not a quick tumble.
It didn’t matter that they were legally married. They were strangers with a past, and he was courting her, letting her get to know him again. Getting to know her inside and out—and eve
ry facet of her now was even more fascinating to him than when they’d dated so long ago.
A twig snapped and he turned toward the sound. And she was there, walking toward him in a peach floral summer dress that flirted around her knees. She had on some sort of sandals with a heel that made her legs seem even longer, and red toenails peeked at him. Her hair hung long and straight, swinging with every step.
“Hello, gorgeous.”
“Hey, back at ya, handsome.”
The once-over she gave his boots, jeans, and white cotton T-shirt, made his body stand up and take notice. He moved to the passenger door of his new Ford F-250 truck and held it open for her. “Your chariot awaits.”
“I haven’t been to the falls since I was a kid. How did you find the place?”
Getting in, he fired up the engine and took off. “I asked your father if he knew of any romantic spots to have a picnic.”
Pandora smiled. “Mom used to talk about their dates there. Apparently, it was quite the make-out spot.”
“It’s the middle of the week, so I’m hoping we have the place to ourselves.”
Turning on some music, Cam drove and listened to Pan humming along with the tunes. Neither one of them knew any of the current music, since Iraq was about twenty years behind the times as far as pop culture. Most of the kids thought it was still the eighties as far as fashion went there. Those that lived in the bigger cities, anyway.
Cam found the turnoff and ten minutes later they were at an open clearing. The grass was flattened and most of it was dirt, evidence of how often vehicles came and went. But he was happy to see that they were the only people out tonight.
“Looks like we’re alone,” she said in the quiet.
“That’s how I like it. Let’s explore.” He got out, went to her side, and opened the door. Then he retrieved the basket he’d packed and a big quilt he’d found in the old house. Taking her hand, he led the way down a well-worn path that sloped gently. He could hear water gurgling as well as a rushing sound. The whole place was surrounded by enormous trees. Too many varieties to count, but when they reached the falls, the whole place opened up to a small lake ringed by white bluffs.
“Wow, this is prettier than I remembered,” she said.
But he was watching her. It wouldn’t have mattered if the place was a mud hole, as long as she was with him. When she turned back to him with a big smile, his heart stuttered and then thudded against his chest. “Just beautiful.”
Her smile widened and a pink tinge lit her cheeks. Glancing down to the basket, she asked, “What’s for dinner?”
“Oven roasted chicken salad sandwiches, fresh fruit, exotic cheese, and pecan pie,” Cam replied, setting down the basket and laying out the quilt. He’d led them to a flat spot about thirty feet from the falls, and a light mist filled the air from the impact of the water. It was cooler by the water, not that it was an overly warm night.
“That sounds really good. I haven’t had pecan pie in years.”
“Well, I can cook the hell out of some MREs, but I left this dinner up to the experts.”
The grin that broke out on Pan’s face was priceless. “You went to Luann’s Diner, didn’t you?”
“You know it. I’ve been sneaking off to have dinner there a couple times a week,” he laughed. “That woman makes the best pie I have ever tasted and I paid extra for her to pack the basket.”
“Where on earth are you getting all this money?”
Cam shrugged and battled the darkness that was always just at the edge. “Where was I going to spend any of my earnings? I stayed for five years, earning some crazy hazard pay with the Agency. I had pay from the Army as well. I just threw it into the bank and let it earn interest. I didn’t even know or care how much was in there until I found out you were alive.”
Pandora stepped in and hugged him tight. “I didn’t mean to bring up bad memories.”
Cam squeezed her back, loving the feel of her body pressed to his. “It’s a part of us, honey. And it never goes away, but it’s getting easier to talk about. At least some of it is.” Kissing the tip of her upturned nose, he said, “But I don’t need to run out and get a job, if that’s what you’re worried about.”
“I was just thinking that I needed to look for some work.”
“Why don’t we worry about eating dinner and enjoying the night before we worry about the future?”
“That sounds great,” she said. Letting go of him, she sat down on the quilt and started opening up the basket. “Let’s see if Luann’s pie is still as good as I remember.”
* * *
Pandora patted her full stomach as twilight descended. She settled back on the quilt, looking up into the big Texas sky, loving everything about the evening and the company. “I missed this. All the green, and the sound of the birds and frogs singing to each other.”
“I missed all the water. That sand over there embeds itself into every pore.” Cam said. Then he grinned from ear to ear and gave her a slow wink. “In fact, I missed the water so much, I think some swimming is in order.”
Pandora propped herself up on her elbows, just in time to have Cam’s shirt land on her face. The cool scent of his aftershave mixed with him covered her senses. And when she pulled the shirt off her face, his pants and boots were off. Damn he was quick.
“What if someone comes?” She looked around in alarm, half expecting a family, or a nun, or someone, to come walking out of the woods. But they hadn’t seen anyone for hours while they’d feasted and talked.
“Then they’ll catch a show,” he said, as he winked over his shoulder. All he had on were a pair of boxer briefs that were so white, it was blinding against his tanned skin.
His gorgeous, rock hard, tanned skin.
She hadn’t even thought about getting into the water and she was wet. Pandora wanted him. Tonight was the night that she’d decided to take back her husband, but now that he was almost naked, she felt a little shy. But, oh so aroused. Letting out a little whistle, she said, “Take it all off.”
That got a wide smile out of the stunning man looking at her like she was some kind of lake siren. “I will if you will.”
With one last look around, Pandora slipped her sandals off and stood up. She’d spent the afternoon shopping, shaving, and agonizing over what to wear. And now she was going to bare her body to the man she loved. Her scarred body.
“I’m not pretty like I used to be.”
He snorted and dropped his undies, standing in front of her fully nude for one glorious moment before he dove into the water. Before he had time to surface, Pandora pulled the summer dress over her head, shucked her panties and dove in just as he came up for air. And she knew he stayed down long enough to give her a moment.
The water wasn’t freezing, but it was cold enough to take her breath away for a moment. And when she felt his hands on her waist, pulling her closer, she went willingly. His body was so warm and the skin to skin contact made goosebumps rise up over her skin.
“Hi,” she said and grinned, as her breasts flattened against his hard chest.
“I’ve missed you,” he replied.
She opened her mouth to say something else, but Cam had had enough of talking. Her man of action was done being patient. And if she were honest with herself, she needed him to take charge and make this happen. He kissed her with everything inside of him. His tongue dueled with hers, pulling a moan from the depths.
As if they had a mind of their own, her legs wrapped around his waist and cuddled his erection. “I can’t believe we’re skinny dipping like a couple of teenagers,” she laughed when she got a breath.
Cam wriggled his eyebrows at her and nipped her jaw before moving to her earlobe. “This was definitely on my bucket list.”
She tried to think of something witty to say back, but he’d lifted her up and out of the water enough that her breasts were at mouth level. And then she couldn’t talk at all. Cam had her right breast in his mouth, suckling and using his tongue to drive her
mad. Then he did the same thing to her other breast. Her nipples were so tight they ached and she could have stayed there all night, held up with his incredible strength, letting him love her body.
“Lay back,” he whispered. “Keep your legs wrapped around me, but lay back so I can see you.”
She paused. “I have scars. From the explosion.” She hated that her voice was shy, because she’d never been shy with him before, but that seemed like a lifetime ago.
“Good,” he said. “I was afraid I was the only one all mangled up.”
She touched the healed scar at his shoulder, knowing there were more all over his body, and she planned to kiss every single one. This was the one she could reach, so she kissed and licked the rough, raised edges of the spider-webbed wound. “Your scars are sexy.”
“You are sexy, no matter how many scars you’re worried about.”
His husky voice and the fiery look in his eyes finally convinced her. A quick kiss and she lay back in the water, feeling wanton and wild. The waves they created lapped at her body and muffled her hearing as she floated. Strong hands touched her, from the curve of her waist, over her flat stomach—she felt them pause at the scars on her left hip that curved around to her butt cheek.
“It looks like some kind of shark bite,” she said, refusing to meet his gaze. Instead, she stared up into the sky where the stars had come out.
Cam used the water and his hips to thrust forward, rubbing himself up and down her slit. “Does it feel like it bothers me?”
It had been so long since she’d been touched like this. She almost came, just from Cam’s body rubbing against her wet opening and her clit. Electric current arched her back and pushed her body closer, her hips beginning their own rhythm. “Touch me, Cam.”
Calloused fingers moved over her ribs and cupped her breasts, kneading the rounded flesh, plucking at her pebbled nipples, making the ache so much sweeter. “God, I love it when you make that noise.”
She wasn’t even aware that she was making a noise. He pulled her back up, her hair flinging water all over them both, and kissed her with the passion that she remembered, but also with something more. That agony of loss was there, in his kiss.
